5 foods that might make your skin darker so that you need not suntan anymore

Last Updated on 2016-05-19 , 1:35 pm

Everybody wants a healthy tanned glow, but the sad truth is that it is easier to sunburn rather than suntan, and most of us don’t have time to lepak at the beach and absorb the sun-rays, unfortunately. However, science has shown that there might be a possibility for us to get healthy-looking darker skin from eating these foods!

1. Carrots
2. Cantaloupes
3. Tomatoes
4. Spinach
5. Olive Oil

Foods 1-4 on the list contain a very essential antioxidant called carotene or beta-carotene, which is a key player in affecting skin pigmentation and helping you to achieve a healthy, darker looking skin. Beta-carotene helps with skin pigmentation and when you consume enough quantities of food with this component, it in turn helps to warm up your skin colour and help it achieve a healthy orange-ish colour. Ok it sounds pretty unappealing but it actually looks better in real life!

A 2011 study by a reputable UK University Doctor has even confirmed this, whereby a group of students were asked to eat foods rich in beta-carotene (such as the ones mentioned above) for a few months, and at the end of the study, it was observed that they skin indeed underwent pigmentation and looked healthier, as though they got slightly tanned!

Of course, this must be eaten in moderation since over-consumption of foods rich in beta-carotene can actually leave you far from looking healthy, but instead make your skin look yellowish with a skin disorder called ‘carotenemia’. Fret not, this condition is reversible if you stop consuming those foods for awhile!

As for the last item on the list, olive oil helps your skin to maintain a hydrated appearance and provide it with a much-needed moisture boost, giving it a smooth finish and therefore make you look healthier too. No point having nice coloured skin if it’s dry and dull right?

So, the moral of the story is eat fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene like the ones listed above, but do remember to consume them in moderation! Also, keep your skin hydrated and soon you will be sporting that healthy tanned look without even having to go out in the hot, annoying sun. I don’t know about you, but if eating means that I can get dark skin you bet I will sure try it out since I can do it in the comfort of my own home. Of course, don’t expect miracles, but it’s probably worth giving it a shot.

Top Image: Golfmhee / Shutterstock.com